Notes from the Board of Assessors, June 6, Hybrid meeting

Chair called for "reconstituting Board" that is electing Chair — Pitney elected
Abatement for Camp Mahkeenac concluded — that concludes all abatements
Personal Property Forms from second homeowners due June 17 — Blay said they are being returned promptly
Income/expense forms for businesses were due June 1. Returns incomplete. Blay will have to go forward with information he received.
This year the process included site visits and Blay reported some businesses were upset and were not providing data. Blay suggested Town do the data collection annually rather than every five years.
Kevin Chittenden and Tim Doherty for Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum (BSRM — located in the Stockbridge Train Station) requested tax exempt status.
Goudey was concerned about granting tax exempt status. Pitney explained there needed to be a museum display or tours or some other activities at the train station in line with their mission for the public. Having established that, they could also have their fundraising events for the improvement and preservation of the historic station. Stokes felt holding and maintaining/preserving the important historic structure was in line with their mission and they did, therefore, qualify. Pitney determined the two sides of the argument should be submitted to Town Counsel for decision. Chair would get back to BSRM

Meeting adjourned

Photo: Lionel Delevingne